Drug Development and Application (0120)

Overview

The master's track in Drug Development and Application trains researchers in many aspects of drug development and medical research. The program provides them with the tools needed to conduct clinical trials and to develop drugs and medical products. The goals of this track are to provide researchers with knowledge and practical skills in:

1.  Cellular and molecular biology, as a basis for molecular drug development
2.  Medical pharmacology with an emphasis on issues of toxicology and formulations
3.  Formal steps needed for drug development:  from the original concept to clinical trials through approval by authorities such as the FDA
4.  Development of a strategy for marketing a medical product
5.  Statistical approaches and methodologies on how to conduct preclinical trials and how to perform and supervise clinical trials

Target Population

The program has two tracks. The first is a two-year course with a thesis that leads to a M.Sc. degree in the medical sciences in Drug Development and Application. Students accepted for this track will meet all the admission requirements for the graduate school. They will have previously studied biology, biotechnology, medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, molecular biology, or chemistry. Twenty outstanding students will be accepted. Their studies will have a similar format to other graduate programs at Sackler with elective Departmental courses specific to this program.

The second track leads to a M.Sc. degree without a thesis. This track is designed for doctors or other applicants with an advanced degree (M.Sc. and Ph.D. in the life sciences) who wish to specialize in the monitoring and supervision of clinical trials. This track is limited to 20 students.

Interdepartmental Coursework

The M.Sc. program with a thesis is based on coursework in biology and epidemiology. Additionally, the program includes courses offered by the School of Public Health in their M.P.H. track and their program in Health Administration (M.H.A.) Research for the thesis will be carried out according to the standards and rules in effect at Tel Aviv University.

Curriculum

Please note that the student's curriculum must be approved by his advisor and the program coordinator. The curriculum consists of 24 graduate semester hours divided as follows:

Elective courses:

• New Horizons in Drug Delivery Systems (0116.5942.01), Prof. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro (2 hours)
• Quantitative methods of macromolecule interaction (no course number yet. Waiting for approval), Daniel Yakubovich (2 hours)
• Pharmacogenomics and biomarkers in the era of personalized medicine (0116.5923.01), Prof. David Gurwitz (2 hours)
• Advances in brain tumor treatment and MRI (0116.5945.01), Dr. Yael Mardor (2 hours equivalent in an intensive 1 week course in Sheba)

Elective Courses given by other faculty members:

• Drug development (0103.5063.01), Prof. Noam Shomron (2 hours)
• Breakthroughs in immunotherapy (0117.5631.01), Dr. Yaron Carmi (2 hours)
• Focused cancer treatment: Past, present and future 0114.6598.01), Prof. Osnat Ashur-Fabian (2 hours)
• Cancer immunology and immunotherapy 0119.5262.01), Prof. Gal Merkel (2 hours)

Seminars

Students must attend at least 25 seminars. The student will keep a record of the lectures and submit a signed form to the Secretariat confirming participation. This form is a requirement for graduation.

If a student attends a scientific conference, it is equivalent to two seminars. Please note that a student will not get approval for more than two conferences. 

Thesis

Students must submit a research proposal for their thesis by the end of the second semester. The thesis will be submitted by the end of the fourth semester. Students must present their thesis topic within the Department or at a scientific conference. Their advisor must approve their thesis as a condition for completion of the master's degree.